Coelioxys

Latreille, 1809

leaf-cutting cuckoo bees, sharp-tailed bees, sharptail bees

Species Guides

19

Coelioxys is a of solitary kleptoparasitic bees in the Megachilidae, containing approximately 500 across 15 subgenera. These bees are commonly known as leaf-cutting cuckoo bees or sharp-tailed bees. They do not construct their own nests or provision their young, instead laying in the nests of bees and relying on host-collected pollen for their larval development.

Coelioxys octodentatus by (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Coelioxys dolichos by (c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark. Used under a CC-BY license.Coelioxys sayi by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Coelioxys: //ˌsiː.liˈɒk.sɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Megachilidae by the sharply pointed female and the absence of pollen-carrying structures. The conical abdominal tip of females is unique among common and readily separates them from their (Megachile, Osmia, Anthophora). Males can be recognized by the spiny abdominal armature. The genus lacks the dense scopal hairs on the abdomen seen in pollen-collecting megachilids.

Images

Appearance

Bees in this measure 8–12 mm in length. They possess a broad with large , a broad , and a moderately hairy body. Coloration is typically black with white hair stripes; legs may be red or black. Females have a distinctive long, pointed, cone-shaped used to pierce leaf linings when depositing . Males have abdomens armed with spines or teeth. The body lacks pollen-carrying adaptations such as scopae or corbiculae.

Habitat

Found in diverse environments across their wide geographic range. Specific associations vary by ; some records indicate presence in clay banks, sandy riverbanks, and areas with abundant flowering vegetation. Habitats must support of species.

Distribution

distribution spanning Europe, the Afrotropical realm, East , North Africa, India, Nearctic, and Neotropics. Documented in most European countries, with recent records from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Iraq. In North America, documented from Minnesota and Vermont through nest trap surveys.

Seasonality

are typically active from June to September, though timing varies depending on the of specific . Some species may produce a second in favorable conditions.

Diet

feed on nectar from a wide range of flowering plants. Larvae consume pollen and nectar provisions collected by bees.

Host Associations

  • Megachile - primary Main ; females lay in Megachile nests
  • Osmia - secondary Documented
  • Anthophora - secondary Documented
  • Centris bicornuta - Documented for C. chichimeca

Life Cycle

for most , though some may produce a second . Larvae hatch and kill larvae or using strongly developed , then consume the host's pollen provisions. Larvae spin cocoons 11–16 days after hatching. Development completes within the host nest, with emerging the following season.

Behavior

Females locate nests using chemical cues, then enter to deposit while hosts are absent foraging. They have been observed sleeping upside down on vegetation. Males are often seen patrolling flowers for nectar. The exhibits kleptoparasitic similar to avian cuckoos, giving rise to the 'cuckoo bees'.

Ecological Role

Acts as a ( ) on solitary bees, regulating . contribute to pollination through nectar feeding. Serves as a food source for and in turn.

Human Relevance

Generally harmless to humans; does not sting aggressively. Presence indicates healthy of bees and can signal quality for solitary conservation. Occasionally observed in gardens and urban green spaces where host bees nest.

Similar Taxa

  • NomadaAlso kleptoparasitic bees, but Nomada typically have yellow and black or red and black coloration resembling , and parasitize Andrenidae rather than Megachilidae
  • SphecodesBlood bees are kleptoparasitic on Halictidae; they are typically red in coloration and lack the pointed abdominal structure of female Coelioxys
  • Megachile ; distinguished by presence of scopae for pollen transport and rounded in females

More Details

Taxonomic note

The ending -oxys is masculine in Latinized Greek, requiring masculine adjective forms for epithets despite some earlier feminine usage.

Nesting biology

Coelioxys are tunnel-nesting bees in the sense that they utilize the pre-existing tunnels and cavities created by their species, rather than excavating their own nests.

Tags

Sources and further reading